Arpita Pitroda, MD

Beware of this Endocrinologist at Kaiser’s San Rafael location. I had a very protracted evaluation for Neuroendocrine tumors in 2014. The evaluation took place due to an elevated tumor marker test called Pancreatic Polypeptide, however the only reason it was elevated was due to Dr. Pitroda not ordering it as a fasting test. I spoke to Dr. Pitroda about the fact I had learned it was supposed to be a fasting test and she advised to fast from protein and abstain from exercise only. (see jpeg image I uploaded). The test was still elevated and I received hundreds of years worth of radiation with 5 CT scans, including an Octreoscan — over a ⁷⁄₈ month period, all scans were negative. The test she ordered is supposed to be done strictly fasting from all food and drink, except water, doing it any other way will effect the result as this polypeptide is influenced by glucose. Once I had the test done fasting from everything but water the result became normal and she wrote a complete lie in my chart to cover it up stating it had become normal due to acid suppression but that had nothing to do with it. I’ve been on acid suppression since 2005!
My dermatologist at Kaiser had tried to request an outside referral to UCSF earlier on so the evaluation could be done by a real Neuroendocrinologist instead of just an Endocrinologist but Kaiser denied the referral. Increasing my lifetime cancer risk with all the unnecessary radiation and months of worry for my family and me was the result instead.
Further, during the evaluation Dr. Pitroda had consulted with a colleague of hers on the east coast. He had suggested menopause or Autonomic Neuropathy as a differentials and suggested certain tests and getting heart rate variability. We knew I was not in menopause and my symptoms were consistent with Autonomic Neuropathy, however Dr. Pitroda did not pursue the latter for several months. I had told my Dr.‘s there a million times I felt I had problems with my Autonomic Nervous System due to cardiac symptoms, flushing, heat intolerance and excessive thirst but they refused to evaluate for this for many years. Once they finally did, which took me going so far as to making a video showing my heart rate increase with standing and posting it to Youtube, it was found to be the case and was diagnosed.
Moral of the story: Do not trust Doctors — do your homework. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and don’t let a white coat intimidate you. When you present research you’ve found on your health issues, don’t be surprised if your Doctor takes it as a threat and readily dismisses it. This is what happened to me at Kaiser for many years and I ended up suffering needlessly with debilitating symptoms that could have been treated many years ago. It’s your life, you’ve only got one to live, don’t let anyone fuck it up for you.